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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 37/EN
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SB003720.100 - 1058 - XXXX 4/15/2026 10:54 PM Engrossed
AN ACT relating to state symbols. 1
WHEREAS, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is a native Kentucky dog breed, 2
developed in the 19th century by tw o Kentucky breeders, John W. Walker and George 3
Washington Maupin, in Madison County; and 4
WHEREAS, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is a hunting breed known to chase 5
quarry into trees, thus giving hunters a clear shot at game; and 6
WHEREAS, the Treeing Walker Co onhound is known for hunting raccoons, but is 7
also used for hunting other game, including animals ranging in size from rodents to bears; 8
and 9
WHEREAS, Treeing Walker Coonhounds are fast, sensible hunters with clear, 10
ringing bugle voices; and 11
WHEREAS, Treeing Walker Coonhounds locate their quarry quickly by following 12
the freshest scent available, and they exhibit superb endurance; and 13
WHEREAS, Treeing Walker Coonhounds are also great companion dogs, known 14
for their loyalty and intelligence, kindness to childr en, and the ability to get along with 15
other dogs; and 16
WHEREAS, the breed was originally known as the Walker Coonhound Treeing and 17
was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1905 as a part of the English Coonhound 18
breed. The name was changed to Treeing Walker Coonhound as a separate breed in 1945; 19
and 20
WHEREAS, the Treeing Walker Coonhound became a recognized breed of the 21
American Kennel Club in January 2012, and referenced by the AKC as "the people's 22
choice" among coonhounds; and 23
WHEREAS, animal shelters across the Commonwealth of Kentucky serve all 120 24
counties and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, most of which are dogs and 25
cats being both purebred and mixed breeds; and 26
WHEREAS, more than 60,000 animals enter Kentucky shelters each year, placing 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 37/EN
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SB003720.100 - 1058 - XXXX 4/15/2026 10:54 PM Engrossed
substantial demands on local communities and their fiscal resources; and 1
WHEREAS, increasing public awareness of animals in shelters or in the care of 2
rescue organizations can lead to higher adoption rates for those purebred and mixed -3
breed animals; and 4
WHEREAS, many dogs, including breeds with de ep Kentucky roots, purebreds, 5
and mixed breeds alike, become loyal companions in homes across the Commonwealth 6
of Kentucky; and 7
WHEREAS, it is fitting that as Kentucky designates an official state dog, that the 8
General Assembly also recognizes the importan ce of promoting the adoption and 9
responsible care of purebred and mixed -breed animals in shelters and in rescue 10
organizations; and 11
WHEREAS, the eastern spotted skunk and eastern hellbender are native, nongame 12
species historically present within Kentucky; and 13
WHEREAS, the eastern hellbender is classified as a species of greatest 14
conservation concern, and the eastern spotted skunk is classified as a species of high 15
conservation concern; and 16
WHEREAS, official recognition of these species promotes environmental 17
education, conservation awareness, and appreciation of Kentucky's natural heritage 18
without fiscal or regulatory impact; 19
NOW, THEREFORE, 20
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 21
SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 2 IS CREATED TO 22
READ AS FOLLOWS: 23
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is named and designated as the official state dog of 24
Kentucky. 25
SECTION 2. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 2 IS CREATED TO 26
READ AS FOLLOWS: 27
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SB003720.100 - 1058 - XXXX 4/15/2026 10:54 PM Engrossed
Domestic cats (Felis catus) and dogs (Canis familiaris), both purebred and mixed 1
breeds alike, that reside in or have been adopted from Kentucky animal shelters or 2
rescue organizations are named and designated as the official pe ts of the 3
Commonwealth of Kentucky. 4
SECTION 3. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 2 IS CREATED TO 5
READ AS FOLLOWS: 6
The eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is named and designated as the official 7
state nongame mammal of Kentucky. 8
SECTION 4. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 2 IS CREATED TO 9
READ AS FOLLOWS: 10
The eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is named and designated as the 11
official state amphibian of Kentucky. 12